Causes and impacts of soil erosion: Practice Questions

• a.

  Silting of rivers

• b.

  Reduction in atmospheric carbon dioxide

• c.

  Formation of new igneous rocks

• d.

  Increased water transparency

• a.

  Removal of vegetation \( \rightarrow \) soil exposure \( \rightarrow \) wind and water erosion \( \rightarrow \) loss of fertility.

• b.

  Irrigation \( \rightarrow \) rising water table \( \rightarrow \) salinisation \( \rightarrow \) crop death.

• c.

  Overuse of fertilisers \( \rightarrow \) eutrophication \( \rightarrow \) silting of rivers \( \rightarrow \) desert.

• d.

  Increased rainfall \( \rightarrow \) leaching of minerals \( \rightarrow \) forest growth \( \rightarrow \) desert.

• a.

  Creation of deeper, cooler water habitats for migratory fish species.

• b.

  Significant decrease in the concentration of mineral ions in the water.

• c.

  Reduction in the water storage capacity of the river channel, increasing flood risk.

• d.

  Increased light penetration to the river bed, promoting aquatic plant growth.

• a.

  Applying organic fertiliser

• b.

  Overgrazing by livestock

• c.

  Crop rotation

• d.

  Building terraces on slopes

• a.

  Desertification \(\rightarrow\) increased biodiversity \(\rightarrow\) displacement of people \(\rightarrow\) famine

• b.

  Loss of fertile topsoil \(\rightarrow\) decline in crop yields \(\rightarrow\) malnutrition \(\rightarrow\) famine

• c.

  Wind erosion \(\rightarrow\) igneous rock formation \(\rightarrow\) crop rotation \(\rightarrow\) famine

• d.

  Over-cultivation \(\rightarrow\) silting of rivers \(\rightarrow\) habitat loss \(\rightarrow\) famine

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.